South Molton MOT tester banned from driving after late night kebab craving

AN MOT tester was caught drink-driving after he was persuaded to satisfy his friend's craving for a midnight kebab by driving from South Molton to Barnstaple.

John William Seatherton, 23, of 1 Elysian Court, South Molton, pleaded guilty to being exactly twice the drink-driving limit when he was caught driving home from Barnstaple in the early hours of January 6.

Seatherton, who appeared at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday, was arrested after police officers spotted his Ford transit van headed out of Newport said Mark Haddow, for the prosecution.

"Police put their lights on and it was some time before the defendant realised and stopped," said Mr Haddow.

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He smelt of alcohol and after a roadside breath test was found to have a breath alcohol limit of 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35.

Tony Dart, for the defence, said Seatherton had been at home playing board games with friends earlier that night.

"His mate fancied a kebab, and the kebab shop in South Molton was closed, said Mr Dart.

"He was persuaded to drive his van into Barnstaple. He was unaware he was over the limit, it didn't occur to him.

"He regrets it and realises he made a silly decision."

Mr Dart also said Seatherton was job is not at risk because he is "part of the furniture" at the garage he works at, although the owner was "not impressed".

Presiding magistrate Judith Kauntze banned Seatherton from driving for 18 months, fined him £250 and ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £25.